Madras High Court
Ranjithkumar Ramesh vs The Regional Passport Officer on 11 February, 2026
Author: P.T.Asha
Bench: P.T. Asha
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT MADRAS DATED: 11-02-2026 CORAM THE HON'BLE MS. JUSTICE P.T. ASHA WP No. 3225 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 3653 OF 2026 Ranjithkumar Ramesh S/o.Ramesh, No.3/3/1 Keelakavathakudi, Senthamangalam Post, Thiriuvarur Taluk, Thiruvarur District ..Petitioner(s) Vs
1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport office, Tiruchirapalli New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar, 7th Cross, Thiruchirappalli.
2. The Inspector of Police Thiruvarur Taluk Police Station, Thiruvarur District.
..Respondent(s) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm ) Prayer: Writ Petition filed under Article 226 of the Constitution of India praying to issue a certiorified mandamus to call for the records and quash the closure Intimation Letter Ref. No.FCL/ 321288521/ dated 02.04.2025 issued by the 1 st respondent and further directed the 1st respondent to reopen the application vide No.TR1066804138524 and issue passport to petitioner For Petitioner(s): Mr.P.Muthamizh Selvakumar For Respondent(s): Mr.D.Ramesh Kumar, Central Government Standing Counsel-R1 Mr.L.Baskaran, Government Advocate (Crl.Side)-R2 Order This writ petition has been filed seeking to quash the Closure Intimation Letter Ref. No.FCL/ 321288521/ dated 02.04.2025 issued by the 1 st respondent and consequently to direct the 1st respondent to reopen the application vide No.TR1066804138524 and issue passport to petitioner.
2. It is the case of the petitioner that he had completed SSLC in the year 2014 and has been engaged in agricultural work for his livelihood. The petitioner applied for issuance of passport on 10.01.2025 through the official portal of the 1 st https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm ) respondent and the application was assigned File No.TR1066801388524. During police verification, an adverse report was submitted citing pendency of criminal cases.
3. It is the further case of the petitioner that the 2 nd respondent had lodged complaints against the petitioner in Crime No.509/2019 under Sections 294(b), 324 and 506(ii) IPC and Crime No.150/2018 under Sections 294(b), 323, 384 and 506(ii) IPC. The said cases arose out of wordy quarrels between the petitioner and the 2nd respondent. One of the cases ended in acquittal by judgment dated 03.03.2023 passed by the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvarur. In the other case, investigation/trial is pending. According to the petitioner, the offences alleged are not grave in nature and do not involve any serious offence affecting public tranquillity. It is further stated that no final report has been filed to date. On 02.04.2025, the petitioner had received a communication from the 1st respondent stating that his application had been closed on the ground of “no response”. Challenging the same, the petitioner is before this court. https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm )
4. A status report has been filed by the 2 nd respondent stating that out of the two cases registered against the petitioner, Crime No.509 of 2019 ended in acquittal, whereas in Crime No.150 of 2018, a charge sheet has been filed and the case is pending trial before the learned Judicial Magistrate, Thiruvarur. Hence, adverse police verification was made based on the pendency of the said criminal case.
5. Heard the learned counsel on both sides and perused the materials available on record.
6. In the typed set of documents filed by the 1st respondent, it is seen that the petitioner was requested to report in person along with the required documents within 15 days by the File Closure Intimation Notice dated 14.03.2025. In the communication sent to the petitioner dated 02.04.2025, it has been clearly stated that since there was no response to the File Closure Intimation Notice, the application of the petitioner was closed and that the petitioner was required to submit a fresh passport with all requisite documents and fees. Without doing so, the petitioner has rushed to this Court by filing the present writ petition, which cannot be entertained.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm )
7. Accordingly, this writ petition is dismissed. No costs. However, in the event that the petitioner submits a fresh application for passport, the 1 st respondent shall consider the same and pass appropriate orders, if all other parameters are found to be in order, in the light of the dictum laid down of the Hon’ble Supreme Court reported as Mahesh Kumar Agarwal Vs Union of India [SLP(Civil) No.17769 of 2025. Consequently, connected miscellaneous petition is closed.
11-02-2026 Index: Yes/No Speaking/Non-speaking order Neutral Citation: Yes/No SRN https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm ) To
1. The Regional Passport Officer Regional Passport office, Tiruchirapalli New Municipal Complex, Thillainagar, 7th Cross, Thiruchirappalli.
2. The Inspector of Police Thiruvarur Taluk Police Station, Thiruvarur District.
https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm ) P.T.ASHA J.
SRN WP No. 3225 of 2026 AND WMP NO. 3653 OF 2026 11-02-2026 https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm ) https://www.mhc.tn.gov.in/judis ( Uploaded on: 16/02/2026 04:35:56 pm )